Corset.



Patented Aug. 22, I899.

R. COUSINS.

C 0 R S E T.

(Applicntion filed Aug. 3, 1898.)

(No Model.)

m: ncmms v-zrzu 0a.. woiouma. WASNINOTON. n. c.

UNITED STATES P TENT OFFICE.

ROBERT COU SINS, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA. Y

CORSET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 631,620, dated August 22,1899.

Application filed August 3, 1898.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT OOUSINS, acitizen of the United States, residing at San Francisco, county of San Francisco, and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Womens Corsets; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to womens corsets and to an improved construction thereof, with certain useful objects, as will be hereinafter described.

My improvements consist, primarily, in making the corset of five separate pieces or sections, one of which forms the back, the others being joined to the back portion and to each other in series on each side by adj ustable lacings, the adjacent or joining edges of all the pieces being formed on undulating lines from top to bottom, the widest separations being at the waist-line, whereby the perimeter can be varied at the bust-line,

waist-line, orhip-line and at all intermediate points by the adjusting-lacings, so that the corset is adapted to fit figures above and below the normal size both at the waist-line and at the bust and hip lines, respectively, while retaining its symmetry without distortion. With this improvement I also employ laced breast-gores in the front sections and interior shields to protect all the laced partings, attached by one edge to the respective sections.

To these ends I construct corsets as shown in the drawings.

Figure I is an elevation in perspective 0 one of my improved corsets applied to a wearer, and Fig. II the same corset extended or spread out to show the manner of its construction and adjustment.

The corset is composed of five pieces or sections A A, B B, and O, the latter being integral or solid without perforations, so as to fit over and protect the spine and main muscles of the back. The partings or gores D and E are covered by interior shields F, attached at one side to the sections A or B and provided with bone stifienings, preferably three Serial No. 687,5 79 (No model.)

in number, as indicated by dotted lines and marked at a in Fig. II. Similar stifieningstrips are also applied at various points in the several sections A,B,and Cwhere marked a and indicated by dotted lines. These, it may be observed, are disposed about the corset so as to permit uniform flexure in adjustment, producing symmetrical curves at the top or bottom. The fastenings G at the front are of the usual construction, the edges being reinforced by metallic strips, to which these fastenings G are attached. At the breasts are gores H, provided with lacingcords and interior guard-linings, the same as the joints D and E, so as to be adjusted flat or convex, as the anatomy of the wearer and the manner of lacing may determine; also adapts the corset for nursing, when required. In Fig. I the corset is shown contracted about the waist to fit a particular figure. In Fig. II it is shown the opposite, expanded about the waist and adapted for a different figure altogether. Intermediate adjustment will be plain. By these several constructive features it will be seen that the form of the corset is completely at command. The circumferential adjustments being at four points prevent distortion and permit a flexibility not attainable with one or two laced partings or gores; also adapts a corset by such adjustments to several sizes and to various figures within these sizes.

Having thus explained the nature and objects of my invention and the manner of applying the same, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A corset, comprising the five separate sections A, A, B, B, and O, the separations between the respective sections being formed on undulating lines whereof the Widest separation is at the waist-line andlacings to join the edges of the separations adjustably, extending entirely from the top to the bottom of the corset, whereby permanent adjustment is secured to fit figures above and below the normal in size both at the waist-line and at the bust and hip lines respectively, substantially as shown and described.

2. A corset, comprising the five separate sections A, A, B, B, and C, the separations between the respective sections being formed on undulating lines whereof the widest separation is at the waist-line lacings to join the edges of the separations adj ustably, extending entirely from the top to the bottom of the corset, laced breast-gores in sections A, A, and interior shields to coy'er the laced partings, attached by one edge to one of the sec tions, substantially as and for the purposes shown and described.

ROBERT COUSINS. \Vitnesses:

II. SANDERSON, JAMEs L. KING. 

